How My Nordic Ancestors Have Changed My Christmas

How have you connected with your ancestors over the years? One of my favorite ways to connect is by doing what my ancestors did. I’ve learned many things about my Nordic ancestors, but my most favorite are my Christmas traditions. I recently found Jacquie Lawson 2020 Nordic Advent Calendar that is all about the Nordic traditions. My daughter and I have been doing it on her tablet. It’s really fun and this is what I learned…

Christmas Elves

These are what we know as gnomes today, but they’re basically the sprites of Christmas. Originally they were little men with ragged clothes that supported you in your domestic duties. They would help take care of the animals and other things. In return you would set out a bowl of Christmas rice pudding on Christmas Eve as a thank you for all that they did over the year. Now it’s more connected with Father Christmas than with elves or sprites.

So now I understand more about those Christmas gnomes. I see them all the time in store displays or on shelves displaying Scandinavian decor. I never knew why they were so important, but now I do.

My Nordic Ancestors and the Yule Goat

This is a fun one. My mother-in-law, who is full Danish, gave us a small straw Yule goat for one of our first Christmases together. I was confused on why a goat for Christmas. But now I know why. The Yule goat went way back to pagan times when people worshipped Thor who rode the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats. The Christians adopted this symbol for Christmas and today it’s an ornament.

Marzipan Pigs

Another one that I didn’t get. I mean it’s a pig…why a pig? Marzipan is a sweet almond paste that is shaped into a pig for good luck. It comes from medieval times when a farmer who had plenty of pigs was rich. Marzipan became a symbol of good fortune. Today it’s a game. The Scandinavians would make a Christmas rice porridge and hide an almond in it. Then they would serve everyone and the one who found the almond would win a marzipan pig. This means they would have good fortune in the next year.

Birds at Christmas

Many people believe that if you leave birdseed on your doorstep on Christmas morning then you will have good fortune the next year. People today decorate gates and doorways with straw so that the birds might eat it and to honor the animals that were there at Christ’s birth.

Broom Hiding

This I’ve never heard of, but it’s memorable. There are many stories that talk about witches roaming the earth during December, the darkest month of the year. So people would hide brooms so that witches couldn’t ride them on Christmas.

Other stories say that hiding the broom symbolized not working too hard during the holidays. You need to rest and enjoy them instead. So people would hide not only the broom, but all the cleaning supplies as well.

Nordic Ancestors and Krumkaker and Kransekake

Last, but not least is the food! These are Christmas cookies that are simple, but full of flavor. Krumkake means “curved cookie” and it is shaped like a horn. Then you can fill it with sweet or savory things. Kransekake is tower of baked marzipan cookie rings that makes a food statement. People make them at Christmas, but also at weddings. My favorite cake maker, Courtney Rich, made one to honor her Norwegian heritage. I haven’t made one yet, but it’s on my bucket list!

Conclusion and My Nordic Ancestors

All of these things I learned this year and now I’ve incorporated some of them into my family’s traditions. I can’t believe how my Christmas has changed now that I know some of these traditions. I may not do all of the traditions that my ancestors have done, but I feel closer to them anyway.

These traditions help flesh out the research that I do on my ancestors. I start with names, dates, and places, but it’s not enough for me. I want to know more about who they were as people. It’s what makes me feel close to them. So good luck fleshing out your ancestors and feeling closer to them.

In the meantime…good luck and happy hunting!

Tiffany

P.S. If you need more help knowing who your ancestors are, then I would be honored to help you with your research. Just contact me and we can get you on the books!